The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-10-27
HON. ELInu 3, wASHDURNe.
DEATH OF THE EMINENT STATES.
MAN AT CHICAGO.
From Printers Apprentice to Pionipo.
Tertiary. -His Remarkable Career.

From Printers Apprentices to Plenipo.
Tertiary. His Remarkable Career.
Hon, ID. B. Washburne, ex-minister to
France, died Oct O., 1887, at the house of his
son in Chicago, ILL.,, Of congestion of the
heart and brain. He arose without assistance
to take drink of water but was almost I'M
mediately seized with recurrence of the
pam in the heart He was quickly assisted
to his bed He lay for moment, apparently
resting, after which he turned his head to
one side, and soon expired, without giving
any Indication of further pain.
In the death of the venerable Elihu Benja
min Washburne is closed the career Of an
illustrious member of celebrated family;
that OF man who has been eminent as
lawyer, statesman and diplomat and for
many years honored in the service of his
state and his country. Elihu B. Washburne
was born in Livermore Me-, Sept %, 1916.
He was the third Of a family of seven boys
In his 10th summer Elihu secured the posi-
ton of printers "deviln in the office OF the
Christian lntelligencer, published at Gardner,
Me. After his term expired he obtained a
position in the office of the Kennebec Jour
nal, at Augusta. While there he met Han
nibal Hamlin and many other prominent
statesmen, and he determined to study the
law. He entered the Cambridge law school
March, 1889.
Hswas admitted to the bar, and determined
to seek a field in the West In 1910 he set
tied at Galena, Ill. He had arrived at his
destination after the commencement of the
memorable Harrison campaign, and being
strong Wing he delivered speeches in sup
port of that party. He formed law CO.
partnership, and was successful from the
start start. In isa4 he was made a delegate to the
wing national convention at Baltimore,
which nominated Henry Clay for President.
He advocated the election Of Clay on the
stump. He was brought forward in 1S4Sasa
candidate for Congress. Though unsuccessful
in bis first attempt he was triumphantly
elected in 1852
In the next congress, which was known as
the ant. Nebraska congress, occurred the
memorable struggle for the speakership
which resulted in the election of Nathaniel
Banks For him Mr.. Washburne voted SO
times, and was afterward made chairman Of
the committee on commerce where he distin-
guished himself by his fidelity to business
and broad comprehension of the duties Of
office. MIR. Washburne was reelected until
March, 1869, when he resigned to as
sumo the portfolio of the state de-
partment under President Grant On
his fifth election, in 1860, he received the
largest majority given to any one in that
congress, and one of the largest that had
been won by any representative in the
United States. Chosen and rechosen through
the war, he came to be known as the "Father
OF the House, !" having been longest in con-
tinuous service, and as such he administered
the speakers oath three times to Mr. Colfax
and once to Mr.. Blaine
Mr. Washburne was identified with all the
ir1p INT ynrlr tn, ~
wasteful grants of the cubic lands and COM
batted many times the jobbery in the river
and harbor bills, and, beside voting
against extravagant appropriations for
public buildings worked against the renew
ais Of already well remunerated patents
For his determined efforts looking toward
the financial welfare of the government, and
his opposition to jobs of all kinds, he acquired
the appellation of "Watch dog of the Treas
ury," and came out of Congress with very
strained relations with the "lobby." When
President Grant announced his first cabinet,
Mr.. Washburn's name appeared first on the
list as secretary. of state. After occupying
the position about month, he. resigned,
partly on account of his health and desire
for rest He was soon afterward rendered
the position of minister to France, which he ac-
copied. He had been in Paris but few
months when, almost from a clear sky, came
the thunderbolt Of war; and the terrible
struggle between France and Prussia with
her German allies, precipitated the events
which were to test the courage and capacity
of the American minister, and which is a
matter of history. Upon his action in this
matter the fame of Mr.. Washburne rests.
just before hostilities were begun he was alb
sent in Bohemia, but Immediately returned to
his post,
He was asked to undertake the protection Of
the German residents Of Paris. He assumed
this responsibility, and faithfully discharged
it. All the other foreign ministers deserted
Paris, but Mr.. Washburne remained through
out, and his success induced people of every
nationality to apply to him for protection,
and the headquarters of the legation was
regarded as the only place safe from mo-
lestation The French army met with de.
feat after defeat, and following that came
gloom, riot, and then the bloody siege of
Paris, and last the horrible rule of the
commune, but he still remained heroi cally at
his post, and the American flag waved at the
legation, while those of other nations dsap-
peared. He was practically Prussian minister
at Paris during nearly year, beside being
guardian of the German embassy and being
charged with the protection of German
interests all that time.
Elfhu was the only member of the family
who always spelled the family name Wash
burne, the others never using the last letter.
1t was singular coincidence that three of
the brothers served six successive years as
brother congressman, having been members
of the 34th, 35th and 36th Congress, but as
representatives of different states These
were Elihu, just deceased representative
from Illinois; Israel, who sat for his district
in Maine, and Cadwallader c., elected from
Wisconsin. They were always spoken of as
the "Washburn brothers" and took very
active part in Oflr national legislation